Tobyhanna man files suit in son's death

The Tobyhanna father of a 22-month-old boy who was killed in a May car crash is suing 17-year-old David Ranakoski, the man police say was operating the vehicle that caused the wreck.

KATIE SULLIVAN

The Tobyhanna father of a 22-month-old boy who was killed in a May car crash is suing 17-year-old David Ranakoski, the man police say was operating the vehicle that caused the wreck.

Andrew Carullo's lawyer, Michael Perry, filed a complaint in Lackawanna County Court on Monday, seeking more than $50,000 amid claims of negligence and infliction of emotional distress by Ranakoski.

State police charged Ranakoski in August with causing the May 9 crash on Dark Region Road in Ransom Township involving Carullo, of Tobyhanna, Carullo's son, Cole Hazelton, 22 months, and Cole's mother, Ashley Hazelton, 21, of Scranton, according to previous reports.

Ranakoski was driving his Ford Focus about 60 mph and smoking marijuana when he collided with the rear of Hazelton's Jeep Cherokee, investigators said, followed by an explosion that caused Hazelton's vehicle to catch fire.

Carullo pulled Ashley Hazelton out of the car and went back for Cole, when a second explosion occurred, engulfing the vehicle in flames, according to court documents.

Carullo suffered serious burns to his body as he tried to save his son.

The incident also caused Carullo to suffer "severe traumatic mental and physical injuries," according to the complaint.

Ranakoski was charged with homicide by motor vehicle, driving under the influence and aggravated assault, according to court documents, and remained in the Lackawanna County Prison on Monday.